Student playing the trombone

HBCU-NBDC Convention

August 29-30, 2020

HBCU-NBDC Logo

Hosted and Sponsored by

Conn-Selmer DOE Logo NAMM Foundation Logo

Conn-Selmer Stimulus Program providing FREE REGISTRATION to HBCU band directors and students with support from the NAMM Foundation

The HBCU NBDC Conference is the only platform specifically curated for the HBCU band director, universities, and students. A collaboration with directors, clinicians, educators, students, and thought leaders in the world of music provide a wide range of education and special event opportunities for the HBCU music communities. It’s a conference to collaborate, grow, and provide fertile ground for current as well as aspiring music educators located in HBCUs. Featuring opportunities for clinics, professional development, and networking. This year’s conference is virtual and features the Gateways Brass Collective and Imani Winds.

  Featured Guest Artists

The Gateways Brass Collective

Gateways Brass Collective Group Photo

The Gateways Brass Collective supports professional classical musicians of African descent and aims to enlighten and inspire communities through the power of performance. They perform in concert and community venues throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to active performance careers, all members of the collective are seasoned educators and each Gateways Brass Collective engagement includes educational, community and/or demonstration activities.

Imani Winds

Imani Winds Collective Group Photo

Celebrating 20 years of music making, the Grammy nominated Imani Winds has led both a revolution and the evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations, and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Imani Winds is devoutly committed to expanding the wind quintet repertoire by commissioning music from new voices that reflect historical events and the times in which we currently live.

  Event Schedule

All times are Eastern Time Zone

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

9:30-9:50 AM ET

Opening Session Presenting Sponsor: Conn-Selmer, Inc.

10:00-10:30 AM ET

Trumpet Warm Up: The Essence of Flow- Introduction & Part I (Chicowitz, Schlossberg, Stamp)
Dr. Courtney Jones

Horn Warm Up: Q&A Dr. Eric Davis

Trombone Warm Up: Getting Your Best Sound Dr. Isrea Butler

Tuba/Euphonium Warm Up Dr. Richard White

Flute Warm Up Brandon Patrick George

Clarinet Warm Up Mark Dover

Oboe Warm Up Toyin Spellman-Diaz

Bassoon Warm Up Monica Ellis

Horn Warm Up Jeff Scott

Percussion Warm Up Ricky Burkhead

10:45-11:30 AM ET

Retooling Your Conducting Toolbox- Conducting Clinic
Dr. Jack Eaddy

The session will retool your conducting skills to help you communicate with your band students. Participants will review basic conducting techniques, hand independence exercises, conducting gestures, and musical expression. In addition, the facilitator will demonstrate how score study techniques, translates into specific conducting techniques.

11:45-12:30 AM ET

Scales & Why you NEVER Stop Learning Dr. Courtney Jones

Third Finger Dexterity Herbert Smith

Jazz Trombone in Big Band: The Last to Get a Solo Dr. Isrea Butler

The different roles of the trombone are lead, solo, and section playing. How to stand out in each of these unique roles.

Developing Your Sound Brandon Patrick George

Dive into the complexities of tone production on flute including, embouchure stability, breath control, support, and much more through improvised exercises to keep you progressing and engaged.

Mastering the Oboe Toyin Spellman-Diaz

A seminar for music educators and musicians on how to play the oboe to the best of your ability. Emphasis on embouchure, breath control, and reeds.

Breaking in Your Mid to Low Horn Playing Jeff Scott

Shifting, jaw position, and other related techniques.

12:45-1:30 PM ET

Teacher Certification Preparation Dr. Tomisha Brock

1:45-2:30 PM ET

The Horn Shall Sound Dr. Eric Davis

Striving to produce a pure Horn sound on the instrument is important. When your solo moment arrives make it the best it can be with a beautiful sound. We will present ideas on how to achieve a sound that people will remember.

Practicing Away From the Instrument Dr. Richard White

Intro to Improvisation Mark Dover

Workshop about how to approach improvisation in a jazz context for classically trained musicians. Emphasis on the pentatonic scale, how to think about triads and seventh chords, and a simple foray into modal improvisation.

1:45-2:30 PM ET

Beyond the Bassoon Monica Ellis

Find your own voice by unlocking the mysteries of playing with the best sound possible.

Home Setup for Recording & Live Streaming Percussion
Ricky Burkhead

The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to become fairly proficient at video and audio technology. All of a sudden, we all had to know the basics of digital audio setups and how to live stream at home. Zoom, Skype, Stream Yard and a host of other live streaming programs became our lifeline. This technology is here to stay and has become commonplace. Students are expected to be somewhat proficient with this technology and should be expecting it to be readily available in our schools. Being a composer, songwriter, recording engineer and teaching percussionist I fully understand this dilemma and would like to share my expertise in capturing, editing and live streaming percussion instruments. In this session I will discuss microphone placement for various percussion instruments, interfaces, cables, computer software recording programs, remote recording and live streaming platforms.

2:45-3:30 PM ET

The Importance of Pre-Planning the Arrangement Paul Adams

Part 1

  1. The hiring party’s overview, purpose, intent, ideas and special features desired or mandated to be incorporated into the arrangement including the length of the arrangement.
  2. The developmentally appropriate level of the performance literature to be prepare for the targeted ensemble.
  3. The instrumentation of the ensemble including the strengths and weaknesses of each section. Comprising the targeted ensemble.
  4. The estimated/targeted date of completion of the arrangement to release to the ensemble.
  5. Will there be any responsibility to rehearse the ensemble and if so, … to what minimum stage of performance readiness is required.

Part 2

  1. The targeted performance setting (Parade/Halftime Show, etc.)
  2. Is the arrangement an Opener? Closer? Medley or single selection
  3. Marching Band specific:
    • Downfield/End-Zone to End/Zone) Drill selection
    • Across Field (Sideline to Sideline) Drill selection
    • Auxiliary Feature
    • Focusing on TESSITURA to determine an appropriate key, voicing combinations, etc.

3:45-4:30 PM ET

Conn-Selmer Educational Programs Michael Kamphuis

4:45-5:30 PM ET

Band Management Dr. Mark Phillips

5:45-6:30 PM ET

Round Table Discussion: Music Education Q&A
Music Education Faculty

5:45-6:30 PM ET

Round Table Discussion: Music Education Q&A
Music Education Faculty

7:00-7:45 PM ET

Inclusivity and Diversity and the Business
Gateways Brass Collective

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

9:30-9:50 AM ET

Music Learning and Making and the Power of Building Bridges
Presenting Sponsor: NAMM Foundation, Mary Luehrsen

NAMM Foundation's executive director Mary Luehrsen shares a brief Sunday morning message about our profound and shared potential for music to engage and connect us.

10:00-10:30 AM ET

Trumpet Warm Up: The Essence of Flow- Introduction & Part II (Chicowitz, Schlossberg, Stamp)
Dr. Courtney Jones

Horn Warm Up: Q&A Dr. Eric Davis

Trombone Warm Up: Getting Your Best Sound Dr. Isrea Butler

Tuba/Euphonium Warm Up Dr. Richard White

Flute Warm Up Brandon Patrick George

Clarinet Warm Up Mark Dover

Oboe Warm Up Toyin Spellman-Diaz

Bassoon Warm Up Monica Ellis

Horn Warm Up Jeff Scott

Percussion Warm Up Ricky Burkhead

10:45-11:30 AM ET

Student Leadership Cameron Jenkins

Cultivating effective leadership among the student ranks in HBCU Band Programs is paramount to becoming a successful performing unit. The presenters from R.E.A.C.H. Through Music, will guide students and directors through workshops that promote collaboration, student-teacher growth, and a healthy balance of leadership and learning. These workshops will engage participants in role playing that will guide program leaders to address issues with fairness while creating a culture of safety, kindness, awareness and emotionally responsive leaders.

11:45-12:30 AM ET

Are You the Best You Can Be? Dr. Eric Davis

We spend our lives practicing to make everything perfect. This can come at the expense of many areas within the music such as interpreting phrasing, articulations, and dynamics. Through solo, excerpts, and etudes we examine how to bring music to life and create a system of awareness to get results every time.

Rhythm & Respiratory Function Dr. Richard White

Participants will explore musical elements as they relate to rhythm and phrase, by using multidimensional practices to increase one’s interpretation abilities. In addition, participants will learn the basics of respiratory functions in conjunction with gainful knowledge of how to apply breathing devices.

Articulation for Single Reeds Mark Dover

Workshop on how to develop our single stroke articulation. Emphasis on tongue position/voicing/different types of stroke, and how to use our air support in a more consistent way when articulating.

Chamber Music Within a Large Ensemble Monica Ellis

Understanding your individual role within a band or orchestra context.

12:45-1:30 PM ET

Revamping the Music Degree Program: A Call for Dialogue & Action in HBCU Music Programs Dr. Tomisha Brock

This session raises topics for discussion regarding the current state of our HBCU music degree programs and their relevance. This session presents innovative ideas for increasing program quality, retention and graduation rate, marketability upon graduation, and professional preparedness.

1:45-2:30 PM ET

Auditions: Being Prepared & Ready for Anything (Preparation, Routine, Professionalism) Dr. Courtney Jones

Starting Your Journey into Jazz Improvisation Herbert Smith

Building a Daily Warm Up & Practice Routine Jeff Scott

The differences between two routines and importance of consistency.

Organizing an Outreach Concert Toyin Spellman-Diaz

How to put on a really effective concert for people of any age, anywhere. Learn how to do an instrument demonstration and program for people age 1 to 100.

2:45-3:30 PM ET

Military Band Auditions Dr. Isrea Butler

Discussion on what it takes to win a spot in a regional vs DC military band. How can these jobs benefit and advance your career?

3:45-4:30 PM ET

Crunch & Chunk Brandon Patrick George

Learn how to practice difficult repertoire in a short amount of time, yielding the best results possible.
We will discuss how chunking (isolating very short, difficult passages) and skillfully practicing them under pressure and deadlines helps build confidence in rehearsals, performances, and auditions.

The Private Lesson Approach to Classroom Teaching
Dr. Julian White

A curriculum for developing score analysis. The presentation focuses on score study techniques for conducting and teaching performance fundamentals. Emphasis is also placed on the conductor teaching ear training and developing technical facility, and expressive playing.

4:45-5:30 PM ET

Believe in Music as a Career Claire Kreger-Boaz

This session focuses on making college-to-career connections in the music industry through The NAMM Foundation’s GenNext program. We will also explore professional development and networking opportunities for faculty, the benefits of attending NAMM’s Believe in Music week and the various events that will lead up to it this fall.

5:45-6:15 PM ET

COVID-19 Model Scenarios for Marching Band & Ensemble Performance Moderator: Thomas Warner

6:15-6:30 PM ET

Closing Keynote Tim Lautzenheiser

7:00-7:45 PM ET

Imani Winds Tells Their Story Imani Winds

  Featured Clinicians